"Hope is my catalyst."

From the bottom of my heart, I wish you the HAPPIEST BIRTHDAY possible. You have, and always will be, someone I look up to in more ways than one.Two years ago after we both graduated from college, our respective lives took very different directions. You lined up a career from the get-go and have since continued to thrive. On the other hand, my initial post-grad situation took a nosedive. I spent a year and a half+ just trying to stabilize myself. I was a mess. I was not myself. I rambled on and on about how the world was unfair. I spent more time navel-gazing than attempting to fix my problems.

But you were always someone I could count on in my time of need. I swear, and I do mean this, that I do not know what would have happened if you or any of our other friends were absent in my self-recovery process. Your words of encouragement continued to strike a chord with my heart that wanted to succumb to my constant self-loathing.

I guess what I am trying to say here is … you mean a lot to me as a friend. I am the kind of guy many people do not give a chance. Many would just chalk me up as very weird and anti-social and leave it at that, but you gave me a shot to open up and escape from under my shell once in a while.

The point is, you believed in me when I did not believe in myself. A simple “thank you” would not suffice.

Rikki, you are intelligent, daring, independent, goal-driven and [insert every other positive adjective one could fit here]. There is not a day where I am not utterly impressed by what you accomplish. You are a source of inspiration to better myself in life.